Miller - Morris collection, 1847-1961

Summary

Creator:
Unknown
Date:
1847-1961
Extent:
25.8 Linear Feet (55 document boxes, 1 half box, 1 carton, 3 oversized boxes, 19 oversize folder A, 3 oversize folder B)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Miller - Morris collection, ms755, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of correspondence, notes, writings, genealogical information, printed material, newspaper and magazine clippings, accounts, receipts, cancelled checks, and a wide range of miscellanea and family memorabilia relating to the Miller and Morris families. Of the 19,994 items in the collection, 9,500 are cancelled checks.

The collection is in three parts, the first and largest being the Sylvanus Morris division. A great deal of incidental information about old Athens can be gleaned from his papers. The correspondence in this section is principally between Dr. Morris and his wife, Annie Lewis Minor Morris. There are also a few Civil War letters, including a photostat of one written by Robert E. Lee a few months after the war that includes General Lee's views about the question of leaving the country, as many prominent Southerner's did at that time. Several boxes of legal papers and notes relate to Dr. Morris' law practice. The second section of the collection contains genealogical information, primarily pertaining to the Morris, Minor, and Lewis families. Of particular note is the plantation book of Reverend William Douglas of Virginia compiled during the 1780's which gives household and plantation accounts, and lists of slaves. Recipes, remedies, marriages, births, deaths, and illnesses are also recorded in detail. Many of Dr. Morris' lecture notes have survived, along with numerous historical and religious manuscripts, a great many of them in outline form. The third section contains material relating to Dr. Morris' granddaughter, Anne Miller. A point of interest in this division is the large collection of postcards, both American (mostly Virginia and Georgia) and European. Her notes and a copy of her thesis are also among her writings. Most of the correspondence is between Miss Miller and her mother Mary Douglas Morris Miller, and dates from 1947-1961. The remainder of the collection is comprised of Miss Miller's artwork, primarily paintings and sketches. Three of her large paintings are stored separately in the Special Collections Division of the Hargrett Library. One large box of family objects (baby shoes, old battle paraphernalia, fans, cases, etc.) is also available.

Biographical / historical:

Sylvanus Morris was an 1877 graduate of the Lumpkin Law School and later became Dean of that same school from 1900 to 1927. His was from a prominent Athens, Georgia family.

Anne Miller graduated from the University of Georgia and received a Master of Fine Arts degree from New York University. She studied medieval architecture in France for two years (1956-1957) in preparation for her Master's thesis. Anne Miller was a prolific writer who wrote mostly fictional stories. She was the granddaughter or Sylvanus Morris.

Arrangement:

Arranged into 5 series and several subseries.

Access and use restrictions

Preferred citation:

Miller - Morris collection, ms755, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.